Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#1      

Dan

Admin
Welcome to the Illinois Football Recruiting Thread :illinois:

2023 Illini Football Commits

1) RB Kaden Feagin (March 23rd, 2022)
2) LB Antwon Hayden (March 29th, 2022)
3) OL TJ McMillen (May 21st, 2022)
4) OL Zachary Aamland (May 30th, 2022)
5) DE Pat Farrell (June 5th, 2022)
6) QB Cal Swanson (June 6th, 2022)
7) K David Olano (June 19th, 2022)
8) DB Jaheim Clarke (June 19th, 2022)
9) DL Mason Muragin (June 21st, 2022)
10) OLB/DE Calvin Smith (June 23rd, 2022)
11) WR Teremun Lott (June 27th, 2022)
12) TE Nathan Guinn (June 27th, 2022)
13) DB Kenari Wilcher (July 4th, 2022)
14) DB Zachary Tobe (August 6th, 2022)
15) P Declan Duley (September 14th, 2022)
 
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#2      
Tell Schitts Creek GIF by CBC
 
#5      

217sports

Springfield
One thing to look out for is QBs who transfer after losing their starting battle elsewhere after fall camp. I'm sure Brett would love to get a QB in for an entire year of learning so maybe he will find his future QB early. Also applies to other positions ala Bryant last year
 
#7      
Anyone take a look at some of the 2023 prospects list for Illinois? I am not talking about the 3 stars and up prospects but the unranked prospects list. Looks like BB and crew are looking at in state and out of state prospects that could have monster senior years and try to land some of them.

This kid Solomon Mosley for example is listed at TE at 6-7 and 235 lbs from Chicago. Looks like unranked of now yet has Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin on his list. Michael Kostantonov from Wilmette, IL is an OL listed at 6-4 and 320 lbs. Another unranked prospect that has Cincy, Iowa, Iowa St, Wisconsin, Ohio St, Michigan, Notre Dame, plus more teams and Illinois listed. The unranked Jacksonville, IL QB Owens has Harvard, Yale, Illinois St, Florida and Illinois. Number of unranked guys like this on the radar. Not saying we are landing any/all of these guys but pretty sure BB has his eyes on some low key guys that could develop their game and try to land them. Probably the same thing that happened with QB Cal Swanson and than somehow got ranked shortly after committing to Illinois :D
 
#8      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
Anyone take a look at some of the 2023 prospects list for Illinois? I am not talking about the 3 stars and up prospects but the unranked prospects list. Looks like BB and crew are looking at in state and out of state prospects that could have monster senior years and try to land some of them.

This kid Solomon Mosley for example is listed at TE at 6-7 and 235 lbs from Chicago. Looks like unranked of now yet has Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin on his list. Michael Kostantonov from Wilmette, IL is an OL listed at 6-4 and 320 lbs. Another unranked prospect that has Cincy, Iowa, Iowa St, Wisconsin, Ohio St, Michigan, Notre Dame, plus more teams and Illinois listed. The unranked Jacksonville, IL QB Owens has Harvard, Yale, Illinois St, Florida and Illinois. Number of unranked guys like this on the radar. Not saying we are landing any/all of these guys but pretty sure BB has his eyes on some low key guys that could develop their game and try to land them. Probably the same thing that happened with QB Cal Swanson and than somehow got ranked shortly after committing to Illinois :D

Recruiting is likely to be quiet from now until early October as coaches focus on camp and their schedule. That said, they'll see if there are any in-state players, especially those who camped or have been in communication with someone on the staff, who make a leap and deserve one of the last 2023 scholarships

Also of note, 2024 in-state class is looking very promising for quality, position, and location of top recruits.
 
#9      
I was trying to be a little sly towards the naysayers but I agree;)

Also might be able to land a few of the in state guys as walk ons after scholarships run out. Expanded roster and staying close to home might appeal to some of these guys. BB mentioned he is all about adding more bodies and quality depth.

Think this staff reaches out to more recruits than people think. I have never heard of this kid for example and look who is the only school on list of now and the name recruiting him. He went and visited Stanford a few days ago. I give Lunney credit for trying to find a needle in a haystack.

 
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#10      
One thing to look out for is QBs who transfer after losing their starting battle elsewhere after fall camp. I'm sure Brett would love to get a QB in for an entire year of learning so maybe he will find his future QB early. Also applies to other positions ala Bryant last year
excellent observation
 
#11      
Seems to be increasing conversation between Antwon Hayden and Mizzou. He took a visit there recently and got an offer, and seems they will be a player here
 
#12      

217sports

Springfield
Seems to be increasing conversation between Antwon Hayden and Mizzou. He took a visit there recently and got an offer, and seems they will be a player here
Mizzou and Miss St offers recently. Definitely a recruitment that isn't over
 
#14      
Anyone take a look at some of the 2023 prospects list for Illinois? I am not talking about the 3 stars and up prospects but the unranked prospects list. Looks like BB and crew are looking at in state and out of state prospects that could have monster senior years and try to land some of them.

This kid Solomon Mosley for example is listed at TE at 6-7 and 235 lbs from Chicago. Looks like unranked of now yet has Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin on his list. Michael Kostantonov from Wilmette, IL is an OL listed at 6-4 and 320 lbs. Another unranked prospect that has Cincy, Iowa, Iowa St, Wisconsin, Ohio St, Michigan, Notre Dame, plus more teams and Illinois listed. The unranked Jacksonville, IL QB Owens has Harvard, Yale, Illinois St, Florida and Illinois. Number of unranked guys like this on the radar. Not saying we are landing any/all of these guys but pretty sure BB has his eyes on some low key guys that could develop their game and try to land them. Probably the same thing that happened with QB Cal Swanson and than somehow got ranked shortly after committing to Illinois :D
Yeah, but did BB offer those guys first? 😉
 
#16      
As long as Sunkett is there, any time spent recruiting East Saint Louis is a waste of time for the Illini. He even steers his b-level recruits away from Champaign.
This is not true at all

ESL was ignored for YEARS from past staffs. I know ESL was one of the first high schools that BB reached out to besides all of the high school coaching staffs in Illinois. Ton of talent in metro STL areas in IL and STL areas that BB has reached out to. Ton of Illinois fans in these areas but even if you go to basic stores like Target you will see Mizzou items more frequent than Illinois even on the IL side of the river. (I live in metro STL area)
 
#17      
This is not true at all

ESL was ignored for YEARS from past staffs. I know ESL was one of the first high schools that BB reached out to besides all of the high school coaching staffs in Illinois. Ton of talent in metro STL areas in IL and STL areas that BB has reached out to. Ton of Illinois fans in these areas but even if you go to basic stores like Target you will see Mizzou items more frequent than Illinois even on the IL side of the river. (I live in metro STL area)

Absolutely this. Put in the effort and we'll be fine. But, we've had years of very lazy recruiting, especially at ESL
 
#18      
Absolutely this. Put in the effort and we'll be fine. But, we've had years of very lazy recruiting, especially at ESL
It just shows how lazy Lovie and his staff were. He had a great reputation in the area from his resume with Rams/NFL and burnt all bridges.

Mizzou moving to the SEC only helped them recruiting even more. I wouldn't say STL is affiliated with any conference but it has more of a SEC feeling to me. If there is talent, all the big dogs come out. Throw in ESL played some summer leagues in SEC areas.

ESL will be a continually pipeline of talent. Might not land a majority but even one every year or couple years is great. BB got us at the table for dinner and already landed LB Hayden for the 23 class. Illinois already scouting Leontre Bradford in 24 class with Charles Bass and Sael Reyes in 25 class.
 
#19      
It just shows how lazy Lovie and his staff were. He had a great reputation in the area from his resume with Rams/NFL and burnt all bridges.

Mizzou moving to the SEC only helped them recruiting even more. I wouldn't say STL is affiliated with any conference but it has more of a SEC feeling to me. If there is talent, all the big dogs come out. Throw in ESL played some summer leagues in SEC areas.

ESL will be a continually pipeline of talent. Might not land a majority but even one every year or couple years is great. BB got us at the table for dinner and already landed LB Hayden for the 23 class. Illinois already scouting Leontre Bradford in 24 class with Charles Bass and Sael Reyes in 25 class.
Majority? We got one B-level recruit out of loaded class, the rest of which didn't give us a sniff. Wake me when Sunkett leaves.
 
#20      
Majority? We got one B-level recruit out of loaded class, the rest of which didn't give us a sniff. Wake me when Sunkett leaves.
If it was up to you we wouldn't have even gotten the "B-level recruit."

ESL was not recruited for many years....expecting BB to just land a ton of guys? I think some on here forget that a B level recruit is just what we need. This football program is at best a B level program and that is more off of BB and his staff being in place.
 
#21      
It just shows how lazy Lovie and his staff were. He had a great reputation in the area from his resume with Rams/NFL and burnt all bridges.

Mizzou moving to the SEC only helped them recruiting even more. I wouldn't say STL is affiliated with any conference but it has more of a SEC feeling to me. If there is talent, all the big dogs come out. Throw in ESL played some summer leagues in SEC areas.

ESL will be a continually pipeline of talent. Might not land a majority but even one every year or couple years is great. BB got us at the table for dinner and already landed LB Hayden for the 23 class. Illinois already scouting Leontre Bradford in 24 class with Charles Bass and Sael Reyes in 25 class.
As an STL resident, I can confidently say our city has more of a Conference USA or MAC feel to it than SEC. Missouri as a whole is fairly varied. southern parts of it definitely have more Southern influence and feel SEC-ish, but not so much STL.
 
#22      
As an STL resident, I can confidently say our city has more of a Conference USA or MAC feel to it than SEC. Missouri as a whole is fairly varied. southern parts of it definitely have more Southern influence and feel SEC-ish, but not so much STL.
I meant recruiting which the line after stated.

STL in general produces a ton of talent but has no real hometown team in the game. I could see you getting that vibe.
 
#24      
If it was up to you we wouldn't have even gotten the "B-level recruit."

ESL was not recruited for many years....expecting BB to just land a ton of guys? I think some on here forget that a B level recruit is just what we need. This football program is at best a B level program and that is more off of BB and his staff being in place.
Yes I suppose so. Kind of dumb to hold a grudge over perceived slight from prior coaching staffs? That seems childish. Now if you tell me they are waiting for Illinois to crawl out of the cellar, OK that's perfectly reasonable.
 
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